Director of Clinical Services - Lake Macquarie & Charlestown

Ramsay Health Care is seeking an experienced hospital operations or clinical leadership executive to lead and improve performance across Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown, within the Ramsay Newcastle Network. You will provide clear operational leadership across both sites, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality patient-centred care while driving alignment and integration across services. Working closely with clinicians, VMOs and executive stakeholders, you will build team capability and accountability, improve patient flow and workforce effectiveness, and enhance the patient and staff experience. You will also play a key role in supporting sustainable service growth, financial and operational performance, cost efficiency and continuous improvement across the network. This is an opportunity to help shape healthcare delivery across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region and deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.

What You’ll Do

Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing operational performance across both Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality care delivery across both sites.
• Leading patient flow, capacity management, and operational coordination to support timely access to care and optimal use of hospital resources.
• Supporting workforce planning and development across clinical and non-clinical teams to ensure strong capability, engagement, and service continuity.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs), specialists, and clinical stakeholders to support high-quality patient outcomes.
• Contributing to budget development, financial management, and cost control initiatives in partnership with hospital and corporate leadership teams.
• Driving initiatives that enhance patient experience, doctor engagement, and staff satisfaction across both facilities.
• Supporting service development and growth initiatives, including the optimisation of new and existing clinical services across the region.

What You’ll Bring

As a champion of The Ramsay Way – People Caring for People – you bring a strong clinical leadership approach, fostering collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, developing high-performing teams, and guiding people through organisational change.

In this role, you will also:

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience within a hospital or healthcare operations environment, ideally across complex or multi-site services.
• Previous experience as a Director of Clinical Services (DCS), Associate Director of Clinical Services (ADCS), or equivalent senior hospital leadership role, strongly preferred due to the scale and complexity of the portfolio.
• Strong understanding of private hospital operations, clinical service delivery, and the healthcare regulatory environment.
• Proven capability in operational leadership, including patient flow, workforce coordination, and service optimisation.
• Strong commercial and analytical capability, with an understanding of key drivers of both clinical quality and operational performance.
• Experience leading or contributing to service improvement, operational transformation, or growth initiatives.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with VMOs, clinicians, and executive leaders.
• Understanding of clinical governance, safety, and quality frameworks within healthcare settings.

Essential Qualifications:

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Postgraduate clinical qualifications.

About The Sites

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital is a 187-bed acute medical and advanced surgical hospital located in Gateshead, 15km south of the Newcastle CBD. The hospital is connected via an overhead walkway to the Lake Macquarie Specialist Centre, which provides on-site radiology, pathology services, and specialist consulting suites. The hospital serves the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie communities as well as the broader Hunter New England region. The hospital is also home to the region’s first private emergency department, established in 2015, providing 24/7 emergency care with dedicated resuscitation, triage, and procedure facilities. Lake Macquarie Private Hospital is certified against the 8 National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, reflecting a strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. It is also home to the Ramsay Cancer Centre, the only comprehensive private oncology service in the Hunter region, offering integrated medical oncology, radiation oncology, research, and support services.

Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown, a newly established, purpose-built day surgery facility opened in 2025. The centre provides modern short-stay surgical services with three operating theatres, three treatment rooms, 12 inpatient beds, and contemporary recovery facilities. Services include endoscopy, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, ENT procedures, Mohs dermatology, and more. Conveniently located opposite Charlestown Square with easy access and free parking, it is designed to deliver a seamless patient experience.

About Us

Founded in Australia in 1964, Ramsay Health Care is the nation’s largest private hospital operator and a recognised global leader in healthcare delivery. Across Australia, Ramsay operates 76 hospitals and 12 surgical centres, caring for more than 1.1 million patients each year with the support of over 30,000 dedicated professionals. Guided by our ethos, “People Caring for People,” we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care, building meaningful relationships, and driving continuous improvement and sustainable growth. In addition to our hospital network, Ramsay operates a growing community pharmacy network of more than 35 locations. Through our culture, The Ramsay Way, we place our people at the centre of everything we do—fostering collaboration, empowering teams, and achieving outstanding outcomes for patients and communities.

Benefits

• A competitive remuneration package, complemented by a comprehensive range of employee benefits.
• Strong opportunities for professional development and clear pathways for career progression.
• Access to Ramsay Rewards, providing exclusive discounts with leading retailers and service providers.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the delivery of high-quality healthcare and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the industry.

To Apply

All applications should include your CV outlining your experience and skills in line with the above criteria. Applications close Saturday 31st October 2026. 

Please Note:

Ramsay Health Care is committed to Child Safety. Details of our commitment are set out in our Code of Conduct, available at www.ramsayhealth.com.au.

Applications made by recruitment agencies will not be considered.